Light string ornament circuitry

ABSTRACT

A decorative device is disclosed which includes 9 .Iadd.an electromechanical device, .Iaddend.music module or .[.other electrical loads.]. .Iadd.combinations of such devices .Iaddend. and electrical circuitry and a connector for connection to a selected socket of a string of conventional sockets for connection to an A.C. line. The connector includes an elongated flexible cable and is constructed to permit ready installation and positioning. Lamps may be provided in the device. The electrical circuit .Iadd.optionally .Iaddend.includes a bridge rectifier and Zener diodes connected to insure continuous energization of lamps of the string while protecting against excessive voltages and minimizing safety hazards.

This invention relates to ornaments for installation in a string oflights and more particularly to ornaments which have lights andelectrically energizable musical and/or motion producing devices whichcooperate to produce attractive sensory effects. Circuitry is providedfor operating such devices in a safe and highly reliable manner, whilebeing compact and readily and economically manufacturable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ornaments for use in a string of lights have heretofore been providedwhich use electrically operated lamps or other devices to produce visualor musical effects. For example, ornaments have been available in theform of stars, leaves or the like designed to be connected to the socketof a miniature lamp in a string, to surround the lamp and to beilluminated therefrom. An important advance has been the provision of aspecial "pigtail" connector having connection means at one end arrangedto be readily inserted into a standard socket and arranged to permit useof devices to produce a variety of attractive effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention was evolved with the general object of providingornaments which produce enhanced effects and which are readily andeconomically manufacturable while being highly safe and reliable.

In ornaments constructed in accordance with the invention, electricaldevices are provided for producing enhanced sensory effects. In oneembodiment, an enhanced visual effect is produced by a rotating elementdriven through a gear reduction unit from a small electric motor. Inanother embodiment, a music module is provided which includes a smallspeaker energized from an integrated circuit which generates musicaltones. Important aspects of the invention relate to the discovery andrecognition that such devices can be connected in a string of lights toobtain safe, reliable and effective energization without adverse effectson the energization of lights of the string, provided that certainspecific problems are overcome.

It is found that the lamps or lights in a conventional string havecharacteristics such as to produce desirable ballast andcurrent-limiting effects, such that it is not necessary that there be anexact match between the electrical characteristics of a device to beenergized and those of one of the conventional lights of the string.When current flows through the filament of a conventional lamp, itstemperature is increased and as a result, the resistance thereof isincreased, tending to reduce the current when energized from a constantvoltage source. In a string of lamps, the initial current may berelatively high, but it levels off to develop a fairly constant voltageacross each lamp of the string. It is found that when a device isconnected in a string of lamps, the lamps operate as a constant currentsource, which is desirable in some respects. It is also found that theillumination obtained from each of the lamps is not adversely affectedso long as the impedance of the device is a small fraction of the totaloperating impedance of the lamps.

It is additionally found, however, that the voltage applied to a deviceconnected in a string of lamps is subject to wide variations, duringinitial energization of the string. It is also found that there can behighly adverse effects from the failure of components, especially whenopen circuits are produced. Such can result in voltage differences inthe device nearly equal to the supply voltage applied to the string.Such problems are even more difficult when the device includesintegrated circuits, or motors or lamps which necessarily or desirablyrequire DC energization.

In an ornament constructed in accordance with the invention, connectionmeans are provided to connect input terminals of a bridge rectifier in astring of lamps while a lamp of the ornament is connected in series witha load device and to output terminals of the bridge rectifier, withprotection means being provided for limiting voltages across the lampand the load device, and to thereby protect against possible highlyadverse consequences of open circuit conditions. The connection of thelamp in the output circuit of the rectifier, in series with the loaddevice, rather than in series with the input of the rectifier, isadvantageous in connection with limiting voltages in the circuit and itpermitting use of a lamp which does not need to match the lamps of thestring. Preferably, the voltage across the lamp is limited by a singleZener diode, only one diode being required since the current isunidirectional in the output circuit of the rectifier. The Zener diodeacross the lamp provides additional protection against burn-out andextends the life of the lamp, to provide further protection againstopen-circuit conditions.

Another feature relates to the provision of a Zener diode in parallelrelation to the load device, to provide the proper operating voltagethereto when it is energized and, more importantly, to permitdeenergization of the load device while maintaining circuit continuitywhen it is deenergized. In preferred embodiments of the invention, atimer circuit is provided which is arranged to be triggered at the touchof the user, to energize a music module or a drive motor or the like fora predetermined time interval.

Another very important specific feature is in the connection of a Zenerdiode across the output terminals of the rectifier to provide back-upprotection against the adverse effects of an open circuit. Preferably,its voltage rating is at least as great as the voltages across the lampand the load device, the maximum values of such voltages beingpreferably established by the Zener diodes respectively connected acrossthe lamp and the load device.

Further features of the invention relate to a circuit construction suchthat it is compact and readily assembled in an ornament while beingeconomically manufacturable and highly reliable in operation.

The circuit of the invention is versatile, being readily adaptable foruse in a variety of types of ornaments, and additional features of theinvention relate to specific adaptations of the circuit to achievespecial effects.

Still further features relate to physical constructions of ornaments tomore fully utilize operations made possible with the circuit of theinvention. In one particularly advantageous arrangement, a small circuitboard, a miniature electric motor, a gear reduction assembly and aturntable are mounted within a hemispherical lower housing member and aminiature train is carried by the turntable and moves into and out of atunnel provided within an upper hemispherical member, illuminated fromwithin by a lamp energized from the circuitry of the invention.

This invention contemplates other objects, features and advantages whichwill become more fully apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one preferred embodiment of anornament constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view diagrammatically illustrating the connection of theornament of FIG. 1 to a string of lights;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially along lineIII--III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of electrical circuitry of the ornament ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a circuit board which supports variouscomponents of the circuitry of FIG. 3, the connections of variouscomponents of the circuitry being illustrated diagrammatically in FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of one modified circuit constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating the support ofvarious components of the circuitry of FIG. 6 and the connectionsthereof;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating amodified ornament construction, including a music module energizablethrough the circuitry of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of another modified circuit in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 10 is an elevational sectional view of another ornament constructedin accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of another ornament constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 12 shows a linkage assembly of the ornament of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an elevational sectional view of the ornament of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a "blimp" ornament of theinvention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of circuitry of the ornament of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of a robot ornament of theinvention;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the ornament of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of circuitry of the robot ornament ofFIGS. 16 and 17; and

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of another circuit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference numeral 10 generally designates an ornament constructed inaccordance with the principles of this invention. A hanger 11 isprovided on the upper end of an upper housing member 12 which is ofhollow semispherical shape and which has a lower rim portion secured toan upper rim portion of a lower housing member 13, also of hollowsemispherical shape. A plug 14 is secured to the lower housing member 13and has contacts 15 and 16 which form electrical power input terminalsfor the ornament 10. As illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 2, the plug14 is insertable into a socket 18 at one end of a pigtail connectordevice 19 and a plug 20 of the connector device 19 may be inserted intoone socket 21 of a string of lights 22 which is connected to a plug 23for insertion into a conventional 120-volt AC outlet. The string 22includes many lights, only two sockets 25 and 26 and two lights 27 and28 being shown in the diagrammatic showing of FIG. 2.

In the illustrated ornament 10, the wall of the upper housing member 12is transparent, to permit viewing of the movement of a miniature train31 which is mounted on a rotatable turntable or disc 32. The train 31moves through tunnel structure formed by arcuately extending grooves inthe underside of a member 33 which also has formations to simulatehouses, trees and a church of a miniature village. The member 33 is of atranslucent material and the lower housing structure 13 includes a post34 which carries a lamp 35 at its upper end, the turntable 32 beingrotatably journalled on the post 34.

The lamp 35 may be energized continuously while the train 31 may berotated only for a short period of time, in response to touching of acontact 36 on the outside of the lower housing member 13. Contact 36 isconnected to circuitry on board 37 in the lower housing member,circuitry on the board 37 being operative to control a motor 38 which ismechanically coupled to the turntable 32 through a gear reduction unit39, preferably including a pair of worm and worm gear assemblies. FIG. 3is a schematic diagram of the circuitry on board 37.

In the operation of the circuitry of FIG. 3, the user touches thecontact 36 which is connected through a capacitor 40 to a pin 2 of anintegrated circuit 41, a standard type 555 timer circuit, pin 2 being atrigger pin thereof. The trigger pin 2 is normally maintained at apositive potential relative to other portions of the circuitry, througha resistor 42 which connects it to a positive voltage supply line 43.When contact 36 is touched, the potential of the pin 2 is at leastmomentarily moved in a negative direction, toward or below that ofvoltage supply line 44 which is connected to a ground pin 1 of the timercircuit 41. Pin 3 of the circuit 41 is then switched from a low level toa high level to initiate energization of the aforementioned motor 38which drives the turntable 32 through a gear reduction unit 39.

As shown, pin 3 is connected through a resistor 47 to the base of atransistor 48. The emitter of transistor 48 is connected to line 44while the collector thereof is connected to one terminal of the motor38. The other terminal of motor 38 is connected through acurrent-limiting resistor 49 to the line 43 and a capacitor 50 isconnected in parallel with the motor 38.

At the time of energization of motor 38, a capacitor 52 is in adischarged condition, a plus terminal thereof being connected to adischarge pin 7 of circuit 41 and a minus terminal thereof beingconnected to the negative supply line 43. The capacitor 52 is thereaftercharged through a resistor 53 which connects its plus terminal to thepositive supply line 43. The plus terminal of capacitor 52 is alsoconnected to a threshold pin 6 of the circuit 41 and when the voltageacross the capacitor 52 reaches a certain value, the circuit 41 isrestored to its initial condition. A V+ pin 8 of the circuit 41 and alsoa reset pin 4 thereof are connected directly to the positive supply line43.

Important features of the invention relate to the supply of operatingvoltage to the lines 43 and 44 in a manner such as to protect againstexcessive voltage and current and to protect against hazards fromfailures of components while supplying current as required for operationof a load device such as the motor 38 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3.The circuitry of the invention also supplies operating voltage to thelamp 35 of the ornamental device 10 and utilizes electricalcharacteristics of the lamp 35 for obtaining optimum operation whileproviding protection against excessive current through the lamp 35.

In the circuit as illustrated in FIG. 3, the line 43 is connectedthrough the lamp 35, and through a Zener diode 54 in parallel with thelamp 35, to a plus output terminal 55 of a bridge rectifier 56, formedby four diodes 57, 58, 59 and 60. The line 44 is connected to a minusoutput terminal 61 of the bridge rectifier 56. Input terminals 63 and 64of the bridge rectifier 56 are connected to the contacts 15 and 16 forconnection in the string of lights. A Zener diode 64 is connectedbetween the output terminals 55 and 61 of the bridge rectifier 56 andanother Zener diode 65 and a capacitor 66 are connected between thesupply lines 43 and 44.

The values of the circuit components are such that in a quiescentcondition, with no load current through the motor 38, DC current flowsfrom the terminal 55 through the lamp 35 and the parallel Zener diode 54to the line 43 and thence through Zener diode 65 to the line 44 and backto the minus output terminal 61 of the bridge rectifier 56. Thecapacitor 66 is maintained in a charged condition and cooperates withthe lamp 35 and the Zener diode 65 in filtering out voltage variationsproduced in the rectification process. During such conditions thevoltage across the lamp 35 is relatively high and there is little or nocurrent through the Zener diode. When the touch contact 36 is touched toinitiate operation of the timer circuit 41 and to energize the motor 38,current is diverted from the Zener diode 65 to flow through thecurrent-limiting resistor 47 and the motor 38 and transistor 48. At thesame time, current through the lamp 35 is increased but only to a smallextent due to the Zener diode 54 which prevents the voltage across thelamp 35 from reaching an excessive value. Zener diode 54 is particularlyimportant in maintaining circuit continuity in case the lamp 35 burnsout.

The Zener diode 64 provides additional back-up protection. It carries nocurrent during normal operation, its voltage rating being substantiallyhigher than the total of the voltage ratings of the Zener diodes 54 and65. It is, however, very important in providing protection againstpossible adverse effects from failure of any of the components,especially with respect to any failure which might create an opencircuit between the output terminals 55 and 61 of the bridge rectifier56. Since the input of the rectifier 56 is connected in series with astring of lamps, a voltage nearly equal to the input supply linevoltage, 120 volts for example, would appear between lines 15 and 16 ifthere were an open circuit between terminals 55 and 61. As a result,excessive inverse polarity might be developed across the diodes 57-60.

As aforementioned, the diode 54 provides protection against burning-outof the lamp 35, but there is, of course, a possibility that both couldpresent an open circuit. In the event of an open circuit produced byfailure of the diode 65, a very high DC voltage would be produced acrossthe integrated circuit 41 to provide a likelihood of failure thereof.Such open circuits could also produce potentially serious shock andfirst hazards. For these reasons, the providion of the Zener diode 64 aswell as the Zener diodes 54 and 65 is very important.

By way of illustrative example and not by way of limitation, the circuitcomponents may have values, types or ratings as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        Reference Numeral  Value, Type or Rating                                      ______________________________________                                        40                 100 picofarads                                             42                 2.7 megohms                                                47                 100 ohms                                                   48                 Type 2N2222                                                49                 22 ohms                                                    50                 0.01 microfarads                                           52                 22 microfarads                                             53                 3.9 megohms                                                54                 6.2 volts                                                  57-60              Type IN4005                                                64                 15 volts                                                   65                 5.1 volts                                                  66                 100 microfarads                                            ______________________________________                                    

FIG. 5 shows the circuit board 37 which supports and connects thevarious components of the circuitry of FIG. 4, the positioning andconnections of the various components being diagrammatically indicated.It will be understood that other forms of circuit boards may be used.

FIG. 6 shows a modified circuit which includes many components likethose of FIG. 4, corresponding components being indicated by primednumbers. The circuit of FIG. 6 differs from that of FIG. 4 in that itoperates to energize a music module 70, rather than the motor 38. Pin 3of a timer circuit 41' is connected directly to one terminal of themodule 70, another terminal of the module 70 being connected to line 44'and a third terminal thereof being connected to the collector of atransistor 72 having an emitter connected to line 43' with the base oftransistor 72 being connected to its collector through a resistor 73.Transistor 72 operates to limit current and to provide, in effect, aconstant current source for the music module 70.

The music module 70 is of a previously known type containing circuitryfor automatically operating for a certain time interval after beingtriggered. Only a short triggering pulse need be applied thereto and theRC timing circuit may have a relatively short time constant. Forexample, capacitor 52' may have a value of 1.0 microfarads and resistor53' may have a resistance of 15,000 ohms. Transistor 72 may be a type3N3906.

FIG. 7 illustrates the support and connection of components of thecircuit of FIG. 5 on a circuit board 37' which is like the circuit board37.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating amodified ornament construction 10', utilizing the circuitry of FIG. 6and incorporating the music module 70. The music module 70 is mounted ona plate 75 which is disposed within a lower housing member 13', an upperhousing member 12' being provided which has a rim portion secured to therim of the lower housing member 13'. The lower housing member 13' hasopenings 76 below a miniature speaker 77 which is connected to the musicmodule 70. The circuit board 37' is mounted on the plate 75 and isconnected to the lamp 35' which projects upwardly on the inside oftranslucent decorative structures 78. The upper housing member 12' maybe of transparent or translucent material. A plug 14' projects from oneside of the lower housing member and a touch contact 36' is provided,preferably at a diametrically opposite position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a modified circuit which is similar to that of FIG.4, corresponding components being indicated by double-primed numbers.The circuit of FIG. 9 differs from that of FIG. 4 in that a switch 80 isconnected in series with the lamp 35" of the circuit. Asdiagrammatically illustrated, the switch 80 is periodically operatedbetween open and closed positions by a cam 81 which is driven by a driveunit 82 which includes motor 38" and a gear reduction assembly.

FIG. 10 is an elevational sectional view of an ornament 10"incorporating the circuitry of FIG. 9 which is mounted on a circuitboard 37" located in the lower portion of a lower housing member 13"forming a base of the ornament 10". The circuit board 37" issubstantially identical to the circuit board 37 of FIG. 5 and, as shownin FIG. 10, it is disposed below the drive unit 82. The cam 81 issecured to an upwardly projecting output shaft of the unit 82 and itcarries an upwardly projecting pin 84 which is disposed in a slot 85 ofa slide 86. Slide 86 has a guide portion 87 which projects upwardlythrough a slot 88 in a floor 90, and a FIG. 91 is secured to the upperend of the guide portion 87, the illustrated FIG. 91 being a Santa Clausfigure. Slot 85 in the slide 86 is transverse to the slot 88 in thefloor 90. The pin 84 is offset from the axis of rotation of the cam 81and when the cam 81 is rotated, the slide 86 and FIG. 91 arereciprocated back and forth. In the illustrated ornament, the SantaClaus FIG. 91 is moved toward and away from a tree 92, and anoutstretched hand of the FIG. 91 is moved into proximity to the top ofthe tree 92, simulating the placement of an ornament thereon.

The lamp 35" is located within the tree 91 which is of a translucentmaterial. The angular relationship of the pin 84 and switch-actuatingportions of the cam 81 are such in relation to the placement of theswitch 80 as to cause the lamp 35" to be energized when the outstretchedhand of the Santa Claus FIG. 91 reaches the tree 92 and to cause thelamp 35" to be deenergized when the FIG. 91 is moved to a position nearthe limit of its travel away from the tree.

A touch switch contact 36" for initiating operation of the motor 38" islocated at one side of the lower housing member 13" and a plug 14"projects from the member 13" at a diametrically opposite point, forconnection of the ornament 10" in a string of lights.

It is noted that the provision of the Zener diode 54" in the circuit ofthe ornament 10" is particularly desirable in providing assurance ofcircuit continuity when the lamp 35" is deenergized through opening ofthe switch 80.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of another ornament 11"' constructedin accordance with the invention. The ornament 11"' is in the form of aminiature house and it includes a pair of miniature FIGS. 95 and 96arranged to emerge from the front of the house, swing into facingrelation, and then swing back to positions within the ornament.

To actuate the FIGS. 95 and 96 they are glued to pins 97 and 98 on theouter ends of a pair of arms 99 and 100 of a linkage assembly shown inFIG. 12, the arms 99 and 100 being pivoted on a pin 101 which dependsfrom a floor portion 102 of the ornament 11"'. The inner ends of arms 99and 100 are connected by pins 103 and 104 to links 105 and 106 which areconnected to a pin 108. Pin 108 is connected through a link 109 to a pin110 on an arm 111 affixed to a shaft 112 of a drive unit 114. As shownin FIG. 13, the drive unit 114 is mounted within the ornament 11"' andit is connected to a circuit board 37"' which is connected to a lamp35"' positioned above the region into which the FIGS. 95 and 96 emerge.The circuit board 37" may be substantially identical to the circuitboard 37 of FIGS. 3 and 4 and it is connected to a touch switch contact36"' mounted in a clock-face portion of the ornament 10"'. When thecontact 36"' is touched, a motor of the unit 114 is energized for acertain predetermined interval of time, from one to two minutes, forexample. Circuit board 37"' is connected through "pigtail" wires to aplug 20"' arranged to be inserted into one socket of a conventionallight string.

FIG. 14 shows another ornament 10"" which includes a housing 118 in theform of a miniature blimp with a pair of lights 119 and 120 on the frontand back ends thereof and twelve lights 121-132 at various positionsaround side surfaces thereof, each of the lights 119-132 being alight-emitting diode or "LED".

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a circuit for the ornament 10"". Thecircuit includes components like those of the circuit of FIG. 3,corresponding components being indicated by quadruple-primed numbers. Alamp 36"" is included which may be located within the housing 118, thehousing 118 having wall portions of a translucent or transparentmaterial.

LED's 121-126 are respectively connected in series with LED's 127-132between a line 134 and the collectors of transistors 135-140 which havegrounded emitters and which have base electrodes connected to pins 3, 2,4, 7, 10 and 1 of a type 4017 integrated circuit 141, a decadecounter/divider circuit. Line 134 is connected through a resistor 142 tothe positive supply line 43"", the negative supply line 44"" beingconnected to circuit ground. The LED's 119 and 120 are connected betweenline 134 and the collectors of two additional transistors 143 and 144which have grounded emitters and which have base electrodes connectedtogether and to pins 5 and 15 of the circuit 141. Pin 14 of circuit 141,which is a clock input terminal, is connected to the output of afree-running multivibrator 144, formed by transistors 145 and 146 havinggrounded emitters, resistors 147 and 148 connected between line 43"" andthe collectors of transistors 145 and 146, resistors 149 and 150connected between line 43"" and the bases of transistors 145 and 146 andcapacitors connected between the collectors of transistors 145 and 146and the bases of the opposite transistors.

The values of the components may be such as to obtain an operatingfrequency of on the order of 3 Hz. When pulses at the operatingfrequency are applied to the clock input of circuit 141, high signalsare sequentially developed at the pins 3, 2, 4, 7, 10, 1 and 5 tosequentially turn on the transistors 135-140 and then the pair oftransistors 143 and 144, to cause energization of the LED's connectedthereto. The high signal developed at pin 5 is applied directly to pin15 which is a reset pin of the circuit 141.

By way of example and not by way of limitation, the various componentsmay have values, types or ratings as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        Reference Numeral  Value, Type or Rating                                      ______________________________________                                        54''''             6.2 volts                                                  65''''             6.2 volts                                                  66''''             100 microfarads                                            135-140,                                                                      143,144,                                                                      145,146            Type 2N2222                                                142                180 ohms                                                   147,148            680 ohms                                                   149                39,000 ohms                                                150                12,000 ohms                                                151,152            6,8 microfarads                                            ______________________________________                                    

FIGS. 16 and 17 show another ornament 10 V which is constructed inaccordance with the invention and which includes a housing 154 in theform of a miniature Santa Claus robot. The housing 154 includes a windowpiece 157 with "HO HO HO" imprinted or formed thereon. Three LED lights158-160 are provided behind the window piece and a miniature speaker 162is provided within the housing 156, above a bottom piece of which hassound-transmitting openings therein.

A circuit for energizing the LED's 158-160 and speaker 162 is shown inFIG. 18. A bridge rectifier 164 is provided which includes four diodes165-168 and which has input terminals connected to terminals 169 and 170of a plus 172 which projects from the housing 156 as shown in FIG. 17.Output terminals of the bridge rectifier 164 are connected to plus andminus output lines 173 and 174. A filter capacitor 175 and two Zenerdiodes 176 and 177 are connected in parallel and to the lines 173 and174. The diodes 176 and 177 have different voltage ratings. For example,the diode 176 may have a rating of 5.1 volts and the diode 177 may havea rating of 12 volts. As a result, the diode 176 with the lower ratingis normally operative to limit the voltage between the lines 173 and 174and the diode 177 with the higher rating does not normally conduct. Thediode 177 is however, very important in providing a back-up to limit thevoltage in the event of failure of the diode 176 or in case of momentaryvoltage surges such as might occur during initial energization of astring of lights.

When the circuit is energized, the LED's 158-160 are continuallyenergized in sequence and when sound effects are desired they may beinitiated by touching a touch switch contact 178 on the outside of thehousing 156. The speaker is then energized to develop tones of differentpitches in sequence in synchronism with the flashing of the LED's158-160, continuing for a certain time interval which may be on theorder of one to two minutes, for example.

The LED's 158-160 have anodes connected through a resistor 180 to theline 173 and cathodes connected to the collectors of three transistors181, 182 and 183, the emitters of which are connected to line 174. Thebases of transistors 181-183 are connected to pins 3, 2 and 4 of a Type4017 decade counter/divider circuit 185 which has V+ and V- pins 16 and8 connected to lines 173 and 174. Pin 10 of the circuit 185 is connectedto pin 15 to reset the circuit upon the development of the fourth countafter being triggered. Trigger or clock pulses are applied to pin 14from a free-running multivibrator circuit 186 which is like the circuit148 of FIG. 15, corresponding components being indicated by primednumbers. The values of the components may be the same except that eachof the resistors 149' and 150' may have a value of 68,000 ohms toprovide longer time constants and a lower operating frequency, which maybe on the order of 1 Hz, for example.

To apply audio tones to the speaker 162, it is connected between line174 and output pin 3 of a Type 555 timer circuit 188. Reset pin 4 and VCpin 8 of circuit 188 are connected to output pin 3 of another Type 555timer circuit 190 which is connected to the touch switch contact 178 andwhich controls the duration of the time interval in which audio signalsare developed.

A resistor 191 is connected between discharge pin 7 and pins 4 and 8 ofcircuit 188 and another resistor 192 is connected between pin 7 and acircuit point 193 which is connected to trigger pin 2 and threshold pin6 and also to the terminals of three capacitors 194-196, the otherterminals of capacitors 194-196 being connected to the collectors oftransistors 181-183.

When operating voltage is supplied from pin 3 of circuit 190 and whenone of the transistors 181-183 is conductive, the timer circuit 188operates as a free-running circuit to generate an audio signal at afrequency determined by the value of whichever one of the capacitors 194is connected to the then-conductive one of the transistors 181. Thus anaudio tone of a certain pitch is generated in synchronism with theflashing of each of the LED's 158-160.

The circuitry associated with the timer circuit 190 is like that shownin FIG. 4 and it includes a capacitor 40A, a resistor 42A, a capacitor52A and a resistor 53A, respectively corresponding to capacitor 40,resistor 42, capacitor 52 and resistor 53.

By way of example and not by way of limitation, the components of thecircuit of FIG. 18 may have values or may be of types, as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        Reference Numeral   Value or Type                                             ______________________________________                                        180                 120 ohms                                                  181-183             Type 2N2222                                               191                 3,300 ohms                                                192                 390 ohms                                                  194                 0.15 microfarads                                          195                 0.33 microfarads                                          196                 0.15 microfarads                                          ______________________________________                                    

FIG. 19 shows another circuit constructed in accordance with theinvention, arranged for alternately energizing two lamps 199 and 200. Abridge rectifier 202 is provided which includes four diodes 203-206 andwhich has input terminals connected to terminals 207 and 208 which arein the form of contacts like the contacts 15 and 16, associated with aplug like the plug 14 for connection in a string of lights. Outputterminals of the rectifier 202 are connected to plus and minus outputlines 209 and 210 and a filter capacitor 212 and two Zener diodes 213and 214 are connected in parallel with each other and between the lines209 and 210. The diodes 213 and 214 have different voltage ratings andoperate like the diodes 176 and 177 of the circuit of FIG. 18. Forexample, the diode 213 may have a voltage rating of 12 volts while thediode 214 may have a voltage rating of 15 volts.

To energize the lamps 199 and 200, a Type 555 integrated circuit 216 isprovided which has an output pin 3 connected to the cathode of a diode217 and to the anode of a diode 218 with the anode of diode 217 beingconnected through the lamp 199 to the line 209 and with the cathode ofdiode 218 being connected through lamp 200 to the line 210. The triggerpin 2 and the threshold pin 6 of the circuit 216 are connected through acapacitor 220 to line 210 and also through a resistor 221 to thedischarge pin 7 which is connected through a resistor 222 to the line209. The control voltage pin 5 is connected through a capacitor 224 tothe line 210; pin 1 is connected directly to line 210 and pins 4 and 8are connected directly to line 209.

With the connections as shown, the circuit 216 operates as afree-running circuit to generate a square wave at the output pin 3,energizing the lamp 199 when the pin 3 is low and energizing the lamp200 when the pin 3 is high.

By way of example, the resistors 221 and 222 may have values of 1.5megohms and 33 kiloohms and the capacitors 220 and 224 may have valuesof 10 microfarads and 0.01 microfarads, respectively. The operatingfrequency may be on the order of 0.05 Hz.

In normal operation with the circuit of FIG. 19, there is a loadconnected between lines 209 and 210 at substantially all times since oneor the other of the lamps 199 is energized. However, if one lamp shouldburn out, the diode 213 with the lower rating will conduct during thetimes when that lamp would otherwise conduct, to provide currentcontinuity in the light string, further protection being provided by thediode 214 with the higher voltage rating.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts ofthis invention.

We claim:
 1. An ornament for installation in a string of lightsconnected to an AC line voltage source to be in series with the lightsof the string, said ornament comprising: ornamental means for producingattractive visual effects, an electrically operated load device arrangedwhen energized to produce sensory effects augmenting the attractivevisual effects produced by said ornamental means, a coupling circuithaving a pair of input terminals and a pair of output terminals andarranged to provide a path for current flow from one input terminal andthence in one direction from one output terminal to the other through aload coupled thereto and then to the other input terminal and to alsoprovide a path for current flow from said other input terminal andthence in said one direction from said one output terminal to the otherthrough load coupled thereto and thence to said one input terminal tothereby provide for AC current flow between said input terminals of saidcoupling circuit while providing for DC current flow through said load,means arranged for connecting said input terminals of said couplingcircuit in said string of lamps in series relation to all other lamps ofsaid string, connection means defining a load which includes said loaddevice and which is connected to said output terminals of said couplingcircuit, and protection means operative in the absence of currentthrough said load for insuring a path for current flow of at least acertain magnitude in said one direction from said one output terminal tosaid other output terminal and insuring AC current flow through alllights of said string, said certain magnitude of current flow beingsufficient for energization of all lights of said string atsubstantially full intensity, and said protection means being effectivefor limiting the voltage between said output terminals of said couplingcircuit, to thereby insure AC current flow through lights of said stringirrespective of DC current drawn by said connection means and to protectagainst excessive voltages between said input terminals of said couplingcircuit and across said connection means.
 2. In an ornament as definedin claim 1, said ornamental means including a lamp, and said connectionmeans including means connecting said lamp and said load device inseries relation to each other.
 3. In an ornament as defined in claim 1,said protection means including a Zener diode connected in saidconnection means in parallel relation to said load device.
 4. In anornament as defined in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend., said protectionmeans including a Zener diode connected in said connection means inparallel relation to said lamp.
 5. In an ornament as defined in claim 1,said protection means including a Zener diode connected between saidoutput terminals of said coupling circuit.
 6. In an ornament as definedin claim 2, said protection means including a Zener diode connectedbetween said output terminals and having a voltage rating greater thanthe total voltage developed across said lamp and said load device innormal operation.
 7. In an ornament as defined in claim 6, said Zenerdiode being a first of three Zener diodes including a second Zener diodeconnected across said lamp and a third Zener diode connected across saidload device, the total of the voltage ratings of said second and thirdZener diodes being less than that of said first Zener diode.
 8. In anornament as defined in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend., timer meansarranged to be triggered to energize said load device for apredetermined time interval, and switch means operable by a user totrigger said timer means.
 9. In an ornament as defined in claim 8, saidprotection means including a Zener diode connected in parallel relationto said load device and arranged to maintain current conduction throughsaid lamp and through lamps of said string of lamps when said loaddevice is not energized through operation of said timer means.
 10. In anornament as defined in claim 9, said timer means comprising anintegrated circuit having voltage supply terminals connected to saidZener diode with said Zener diode being operative to maintain asubstantially constant supply voltage for said integrated circuit. 11.In an ornament as defined in claim 10, a filter capacitor connected inparallel with said Zener diode.
 12. In an ornament as defined in claim11, said connection means including a lamp connected in series with saidload device, and said protection means comprising a second Zener diodeconnected in parallel with said lamp.
 13. In an ornament as defined inclaim 12, said protection means further comprising a third Zener diodeconnected to said output terminals of said bridge rectifier and having avoltage rating which is about at least as high as the total of thevoltage ratings of the first and second Zener diodes.
 14. In an ornamentas defined in claim 1, said load device comprising a music modulearranged to produce a series of musical tones when energized.
 15. In anornament as defined in claim 1, said load device comprising, a movableelement and electric motor means for effecting movement of said element.16. In an ornament as defined in claim 15, said movable element being arotatable disc element, and speed reduction drive means driven by saidmotor and operative to rotate said disc element at a relatively slowspeed.
 17. In an ornament as defined in claim 16, said disc elementbeing rotatable about a horizontal axis, and a miniature train supportedon said disc element.
 18. In an ornament as defined in claim 15, saidconnection means including a lamp connected in series with said loaddevice, and switch means actuated by said movable element and connectedin series with said lamp.
 19. In an ornament as defined in claim 18,said protection means comprising a Zener diode connected across theseries combination of said switch means and said lamp.
 20. In anornament as defined in claim 15, reciprocable means driven by saidmovable element.
 21. In an ornament as defined in claim 20, saidconnection means including a lamp connected in series with said loaddevice, switch means actuated by said movable element in synchronismwith the operation of said reciprocable means and connected electricallyin series with said lamp.
 22. In an ornament as defined in claim 1, saidload means comprising multi-pitch audible tone generating means, aplurality of lamps, and means for energizing said lamps in synchronismwith the generation of tones of different pitches by said tonegenerating means.
 23. In an ornament as defined in claim 22, saidaudible tone generating means comprising a resistance-capacitance timingcircuit for controlling the generated pitch, and said load meanscomprising a plurality of transistors selectively energizable to controlthe time constant of said circuit and to simultaneously energize one ofsaid lamps.
 24. In an ornament as defined in claim 1, said connectionmeans including a first lamp connected in series with said load device,at least one lamp in addition to said first lamp, and lamp-energizingmeans for energizing said lamps in a certain sequence.
 25. In anornament as defined in claim 24, said lamp-energizing means including afree-running multivibrator circuit.
 26. In an ornament as defined inclaim 24, said lamp-energizing means further including a counter circuitenergized from said multivibrator circuit and arranged to control thesequence of energization of said lamps.
 27. In an ornament as defined inclaim 1, a timer circuit for controlling energization of said loaddevice and having a trigger input terminal, a touch switch contact,capacitance means connected between said touch switch contact and saidtrigger input terminal, and resistance means connecting said triggerinput terminal to one terminal of said rectifier to keep said triggerinput terminal at substantially the same potential as said one terminalof said rectifier when said contact is untouched for a substantiallength of time with a triggering signal being applied through saidcapacitor when said contact is touched.
 28. In an ornament as defined inclaim 1, said protection means including first and second Zener diodesconnected in parallel relation to each other and to said outputterminals of said coupling circuit, said first diode having a voltagerating not substantially higher than the normal DC operating voltage ofsaid connection means, and said second diode having a somewhat highervoltage rating to be normally nonconductive but to become condutive andto provide protection with respect to voltage transients and failure ofsaid first diode.
 29. In an ornament as defined in claim 1, saidcoupling circuit comprising a bridge rectifier.
 30. A decorative devicefor electrical connection in a string of conventional sockets forminiature Christmas lights or the like, each of said conventionalsockets including a hollow housing of insulating material having an openend with a pair of contacts within said housing arranged for engagementwith contacts of a conventional miniature Christmas light andinterconnected through flexible conductors with contacts of otherconventional sockets of said string, said device comprising electricalcircuit means which includes electrically energizeable.Iadd.electromechanical .Iaddend.load means producing enhanced sensoryeffects and a connector for connecting said device to said string, saidconnector being arranged for connection to a selected socket of .[.a.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.string of conventional sockets mounted in astationary position on a tree and said connector being arranged toprovide an extension cord to obtain flexibility and mobility in theplacement of said electrically operated load means on the tree withrespect to said string of stationary conventional sockets, saidconnector including an elongated flexible cable having at least twoconductors, first connection means at one end of said cable forconnection of said conductors thereof to said load means, and secondconnection means at the opposite end of said elongated flexible cablefor connection of said conductors thereof to contacts of a selected oneof said conventional sockets, said second connection means including amember of insulating material and contact means carried by said memberto form a plug assembly arranged to fit within the hollow housing ofsaid one of said conventional sockets and to electrically connect saidconductors of said cable with the contacts of said selected one of saidconventional sockets, said load means being thereby connectedelectrically in said string in place of a light which might otherwise beinserted in said selected one of said conventional sockets and said loadmeans being thereby movable to any desired position on said tree withinthe length of said flexible cable from said selected one of saidstationary conventional sockets. .Iadd.31. A device according to claim30 wherein said electromechanical load means is a motor. .Iaddend..Iadd.32. A device according to claim 31 wherein said motor is a directcurrent motor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. A device according to claim 30wherein said electrical circuit means includes a lighting means..Iaddend. .Iadd.34. A device according to claim 30, wherein saidelectrical circuit means includes electrically energizableelectroacoustical load means producing enhanced sensory effects..Iaddend. .Iadd.35. A device according to claim 34, wherein saidelectrical circuit means includes lighting means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. Adecorative device for electrical connection in a string of conventionalsockets for miniature Christmas lights or the like, each of saidconventional sockets including a hollow housing of insulating materialhaving an open end with a pair of contacts within said housing arrangedfor engagement with contacts of a conventional miniature Christmas lightand interconnected through flexible conductors with contacts of otherconventional sockets of said string, said device comprising electricalcircuit means which includes electrically energizable electroacousticalload means producing enhanced sensory effects and a connector forconnecting said device to said string, said connector being arranged forconnection to a selected socket of said string of conventional socketsmounted in a stationary position on a tree and said connector beingarranged to provide an extension cord to obtain flexibility and mobilityin the placement of said electrically operated load means on the treewith respect to said string of stationary conventional sockets, saidconnector including an elongated flexible cable having at least twoconductors, first connection means at one end of said cable forconnection of said conductors thereof to said load means, and secondconnection means at the opposite end of said elongated flexible cablefor connection of said conductors thereof to contacts of a selected oneof said conventional sockets, said second connection means including amember of insulating material and contact means carried by said memberto form a plug assembly arranged to fit within the hollow housing ofsaid one of said conventional sockets and to electrically connect saidconductors of said cable with the contacts of said selected one of saidconventional sockets, said load means being thereby connectedelectrically in said string in place of a light which might otherwise beinserted in said selected one of said conventional sockets and said loadmeans being thereby movable to any desired position on said tree withinthe length of said flexible cable from said selected one of saidstationary conventional sockets. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. A device accordingto claim 36 wherein said electroacoustical load means comprises a soundtransducer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. A device according to claim 36 whereinsaid electroacoustical load means comprises a speaker and wherein saidcircuit means comprises a music module. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. A deviceaccording to claim 36 wherein said electrical circuit means includes alighting means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. A decorative device for electricalconnection in a string of conventional sockets for miniature Christmaslights or the like, each of said conventional sockets including a hollowhousing of insulating material having a non-circular open end with apair of laterally spaced contacts within said housing arranged forengagement with contacts of a conventional miniature Christmas light andinterconnected through flexible conductors with contacts of otherconventional sockets of said string, said device comprising electricalcircuit means which includes load means including at least one lamp andat least one light emitting diode producing enhanced sensory effects, aplurality of flexible conductors, and a connector for connecting saiddevice to said string, said connector being non-circular and saidconnector being arranged for being matably connectable to a selectedsocket of said string of conventional sockets mounted in a stationaryposition on a tree and said connector being arranged to provide anextension cord to obtain flexibility and mobility in the placement ofsaid electrically operated load means on the tree with respect to saidstring of stationary conventional sockets, said connector including anelongated flexible cable having at least two conductors, firstconnection means at one end or said cable for connection of saidconductors thereof to said load means, and second connection means atthe opposite end of said elongated flexible cable for connection of saidconductors thereof to contacts of a selected one of said conventionalsockets, said second connection means including a member of insulatingmaterial and contact means carried by said member to form a plugassembly arranged to fit within the hollow housing of said one of saidnon-circular conventional sockets and to electrically connect saidconductors of said cable with the contacts of said selected one of saidnon-circular conventional sockets, said load means being therebyconnected electrically in said string in place of a light which mightotherwise be inserted in said selected one of said conventional socketsand said load means being thereby movable to any desired position onsaid tree within the length of said flexible cable from said selectedone of said stationary conventional sockets. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. Adecorative device for electrical connection in a string of conventionalsockets for miniature Christmas lights or the like, each of saidconventional sockets including a hollow housing of insulating materialhaving an open end with a pair of contacts within said housing arrangedfor engagement with contacts of a conventional miniature Christmas lightand interconnected through flexible conductors with contacts of otherconventional sockets of said string, said device comprising electricalcircuit means which includes electrically energizable load meansproducing enhanced sensory effects which vary as function of time and aconnector for connecting said device to said string, said electricalcircuit means having impedance characteristics which are such as tomaintain continuous energization of lights in said string of socketswhile energizing said load means in producing said enhanced sensoryeffects which vary as a function of time, said connector being arrangedfor connection to a selected socket of said string of conventionalsockets mounted in a stationary position on a tree and said connectorbeing arranged to provide an extensin cord to obtain flexibility andmobility in the placement of said elecrically operated load means on thetree with respect to said string of stationary conventional sockets,said connector including an elongated flexible cable having at least twoconductors, first connection means at one end of said cable forconnection of said conductors thereof to said load means, and secondconnection means at the opposite end of said elongated flexible cablefor connection of said conductors thereof to contacts of a selected oneof said conventional sockets, said second connection means including amember of insulating material and contact means carried by said memberto form a plug assembly arranged to fit within the hollow housing ofsaid one of said conventional sockets and to electrically connect saidconductors of said cable with the contacts of said selected one of saidconventional sockets, said load means being thereby connectedelectrically in said string in place of a light which might otherwise beinserted in said selected one of said conventional sockets and said loadmeans being thereby movable to any desired position on said tree withinthe length of said flexible cable from said selected one of saidstationary conventional sockets. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. A device accordingto claim 41, wherein said electrical circuit means includes controlcircuit means operative to develop an output changing as a function oftime, and wherein said electrically energizable load means includesmeans connected to said output of said control circuit means to producesaid enhanced sensory effects which vary as a function of time..Iaddend. .Iadd.43. A device according to claim 42, wherein saidelectrically energizable load means includes lighting means coupled tosaid output of said control circuit means to produce lighting effectswhich vary as a function of time. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. A device accordingto claim 43, wherein said lighting means includes light emitting diodemeans. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45. A device according to claim 42, wherein saidcontrol circuit means includes electronic timer means. .Iaddend..Iadd.46. A device according to claim 45, wherein said control circuitmeans includes a music module and wherein said electrically energizableload means includes a speaker coupled to said music module. .Iaddend..Iadd.47. A device according to claim 41, wherein said electricallyenergizable load means includes an electric motor and wherein saiddevice includes an ornamental structure moved by said electric motor toproduce said enhanced sensory effects which vary as a function of time..Iaddend. .Iadd.48. A device according to claim 41, wherein saidelectrically energizable load means includes electroacoustical loadmeans. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49. A device according to claim 41, wherein saidelectrical circuit means includes voltage limiting means. .Iaddend..Iadd.50. A device according to claim 49, wherein said voltage limitingmeans includes Zener diode means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.51. A decorativedevice for electrical connection in a string of conventional sockets forminiature Christmas lights or the like, each of said conventionalsockets including a hollow housing of insulating material having an openend with a pair of contacts of a conventional miniature Christmas lightand interconnected through flexible conductors with contacts of otherconventional sockets of said string, said device comprising electricalcircuit means which includes electrically energizable load means, saidload means comprising motor means having a rotatable portion and a fixedportion, said decorative device including fixed decorative means andmovable decorative means, said movable decorative means beingoperatively connected to said rotatable portion of said motor means toprovide movement of said movable decorative means relative to said fixeddecorative means for an enhanced sensory effect, and a connector forconnecting said device to said string, said connector being arranged forconnection to a selected socket of said string of conventional socketsmounted in a stationary position on a tree and said connector beingarranged to provide an extension cord to obtain flexibility and mobilityin the placement of said electrically operated load means on the treewith respect to said string of stationary conventional sockets, saidconnector including an elongated flexible cable having at least twoconductors, first connection means at one end of said cable forconnection of said conductors thereof to said load means, and secondconnection means at the opposite end of said elongated flexible cablefor connection of said conductors thereof to contacts of a selected oneof said conventional sockets, said second connection means including amember of insulating material and contact means carried by said memberto form a plug assembly arranged to fit within the hollow housing ofsaid one of said conventional sockets and to electrically connect saidconductors of said cable with the contacts of said selected one of saidconventional sockets, said load means being thereby connectedelectrically in said string in place of a light which might otherwise beinserted in said selected one of said conventional sockets and said loadmeans being thereby movable to any desired position on said tree withinthe length of said flexible cable from said selected one of saidstationary conventional sockets. .Iaddend. .Iadd.52. The decorativedevice of claim 51 wherein one of said decorative means is generallyspherical and the other of said decorative means moves relative thereto..Iaddend. .Iadd.53. The decorative device of claim 52 wherein saidspherical decorative means is diaphanous and the other decorative meansmoves within said spherial means and is visible therethrough. .Iaddend..Iadd.54. The decorative device of claim 52 wherein the other of saiddecorative means rotates relative to said spherical decorative means..Iaddend.